The Portland daily press., 1887-08-24
THE HAYES TRUCK.
a Ladder Reaching 85 Feet Into the
Air.

Yesterday there was a trial exhibition of
the Hayes fire truck in front of the Falmouth
Hotel, Browns block, and at Congress
Square. large number of people wit.
messed the trial, which was very satisfactory
Among those present were ALDERMEN Marks
and Wilson, and Councilmen Peck, Adams
and McClutchy, of the fire department COM
mittee; Councilman Morgan of Lewiston,
and many OF the members Of the old Port
land fire department; Chief Cloyes and the
Engineers of the Portland fire department.
MI La France, agent of the company,
managed the truck.
The truck will be kept on India street in
the place of the old Washington No. 1, and
Will be known as the Hayes Truck No. 1. 1t
Is some thirty feet long and carries a number
OF small ladders and one large one The
base OF the large ladder is fixed on an iron
turntable about six feet in diameter, which
is made fast to the forward axle The lad
der is raised from horizontal position by
crank turned by six men, who stand on the
ground, and when fully extended is 50 feet
long Ladder No. !, as it is called. is about
40 feet long, and ladder No. 2, which is hoist
ed by means of two cranks, each worked by
two men who stand on the turntable, is As
feet long. Both are made of California
pine. Ladder No. 2, is narrower than No. !.
to which it is made fast, although it can be
moved up or down by means of an endless
chain. A rope run through pulley at the
upper end of ladder No. is used to hoist
the hose to the men who stand on small
platform temporarily fixed to the ladder by
hook and chains.
The ladder is placed on a turntable so that
it can be moved around and let down in any
direction. Iron rods keep it from spreading,
and at the base it is held by strong iron
bands from topping sidewise. In order
that the truck may turn sharp corners the
hindermost axle is made movable aud is
made to turn in the same manner as the for
ward axle, by man who sits in the rear at
continuance like that used to move the rud-
der of steamboat.
The Falmouth hotel is five and half stor-
les high but the ladder, with man on the
top, was hoisted quickly to the caves, and
then half dozen fremen rushed up to the
roof. Then ladder No. was dropped with
in ladder No. so that it reached the fourth
story and firemanlP c. Melody, once sailor
| through the window. The ladder, extended
| IS feet in the air, with gallant fireman Mel
| ody at the top, was swung across the street
and let fall on the caves of high building
and half dozen men sent to the roof. 1t was
then moved up and down, from one story to
another, with a fireman at the top, to
practically illustrate how people might
be rescued even from the windows of the
highest burning building A similar exhibit
ton was nextgiyen at Browns block which
is five stories high, and then with Machi-
gonDe steamer No. l, it was given trial in
Congress Square. AT the latter place the
ladder was hoisted to perpendicular posi-
ton, the little platform fixed near the top of
ladder No for two men to stand upon, and
then 1.-TWO lines of hose were hoisted and
fastened at the top, and near the middle, to
the ladder. Two men mounted to the plat
| form and the engine forced the water
| through the pipe. The real merit of the lad
der was now shown, for by means of it
| streams of water can easily be thrown into
the fifth or sixth story If burning building
while the firemen are iii no danger. The
trial at Congress Square was most successful
and Interesting, and wildly illustrated the
merits OF the truck by thus practically put
ting 1T to test. The ladder was made by the
| La France Fire Engine Company of Elmira,
| New York.